Hansen frustrated despite All Blacks win

NEW Zealand coach Steve Hansen admitted to feeling frustrated despite the All Blacks romping to a 38-18 victory in France on Saturday and scoring their 2000th try.

The tourists were at their rampant best in the first 40 minutes, running in four tries and threatening a record victory over the French when they led 31-5 at the break.

But they were kept scoreless until the final move of the match in the second period, not getting close to the record 61-10 victory achieved in Wellington 10 years ago.

“We lost our discipline a little (in the second half), as a result of that we allowed the momentum to shift and the French were good enough to take that opportunity and put us under pressure,” said Hansen.

“Having said that, I’m happy with the way we fought our way through it and we scored a good try at the end. We scored enough points in the first half to get the job done.”

But with what on paper looked like their hardest November Test negotiated with a convincing victory – ahead of trips to Scotland and Italy – Hansen wasn’t going to be too tough on his players.

“It’s very difficult in sporting occasions … to hold the momentum for the whole duration of the contest,” he added.

“Once we lost momentum the French team got confidence and put us under pressure.

“We gave away 11 penalties I think in the second half … Those things allowed our opponents to get back into the game.”

He also lamented the fact that cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams seemingly didn’t know the rules when conceding a penalty try and getting sin-binned for batting the ball intentionally out of play.